When Darius Acuff Jr. hears his name called during next month’s NBA Draft, the Arkansas Razorbacks star will be the next guard coached by John Calipari into the league. What makes his journey to the league interesting is nobody knows where he’ll go.
There’s a huge possibility he’ll sneak into the top three or could go as late as No. 8 to Atlanta. Acuff is ready to play up to the NBA standard and will make an immediate impact. If this year’s draft wasn’t stocked with insane amounts of talent, Acuff would get serious consideration for the No. 1 overall pick.
However, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson and Darryn Peterson will all likely go before Acuff. This class rivals the player who went in the 1996 class, and many of them are currently in the Hall of Fame.
Here’s where things stand with Darius Acuff Jr. ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.
MORE: 2026 NBA combine: Full list of draft prospects invited
Darius Acuff Jr. 2026 NBA Draft Combine live updates
Unofficial results for Darius Acuff Jr. at the NBA Combine
Standing Vert: 31.5″
Max Vert: 36.5″
Lane Agility: 10.990s
3/4 Court Sprint: 3.060s (led all participants)
Shuttle Run: 5.994s— Sammy Profeta (@profeta_sammy) May 12, 2026
Darius Acuff Jr. posted a 36.5-inch max vertical jump on Tuesday. This was fifth highest of all guards participating.
Acuff’s unofficial time for the 3/4 court sprint came in at 3.06 seconds to lead all participants.
We saw a 31.5-inch no-step vertical jump from Darius Acuff Jr. at the NBA Combine.
Darius Acuff Jr. posted a 31.5” no-step vertical jump. pic.twitter.com/VDMVPV3RqX
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) May 12, 2026
Arkansas’ Darius Acuff measured 6’2 barefoot and 186 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine, with a 6’7 wingspan and 8’2.5 standing reach.
In line with past measurements. Not the biggest or longest guard around, but certainly not any kind of deal-breaker. pic.twitter.com/92axDxsSQC
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2026
Darius Acuff Jr. news, notes and highlights:
Darius Acuff is a All-Pro corner in another lifetime pic.twitter.com/NatUaJwNiI
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) May 12, 2026
DARIUS ACUFF EXPLODES FOR 36 PTS TO BEAT HIGH POINT 🔥
No. 4 Arkansas is headed to the Sweet 16!
Watch March Madness on TNT Sports pic.twitter.com/pb3EXYCV8n
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 22, 2026
I heard that Darius Acuff Jr. might be the worst defender in the NBA next year. Watched his defense during the SEC Championship to see if people were exaggerating.
It’s pretty rough. pic.twitter.com/GbLRN9nH13
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) March 19, 2026
Darius Acuff Jr. rumors:
“I think it’s time for them to let Kawhi go.” 😳
Former Clippers player Darius Miles believes LA needs to start fresh this offseason after getting the No. 5 pick in the draft.
(via Yahoo Sports Daily) pic.twitter.com/rK5gMyzT1N
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 11, 2026
2026 NBA Draft order:
| 1. | Washington |
| 2. | Utah |
| 3. | Memphis |
| 4. | Chicago |
| 5. | LA Clippers (from Indiana) |
| 6. | Brooklyn |
| 7. | Sacramento |
| 8. | Atlanta (from New Orleans) |
| 9. | Dallas |
| 10. | Milwaukee |
| 11. | Golden State |
| 12. | Oklahoma City (from the LA Clippers) |
| 13. | Miami |
| 14. | Charlotte |
| 15. | Chicago (from Portland) |
| 16. | Memphis (from Phoenix via Orlando) |
| 17. | Oklahoma City (from Philadelphia) |
| 18. | Charlotte (from Orlando via Phoenix) |
| 19. | Toronto |
| 20. | San Antonio (from Atlanta) |
| 21. | Detroit (from Minnesota) |
| 22. | Philadelphia (from Houston via Oklahoma City) |
| 23. | Atlanta (from Cleveland) |
| 24. | New York |
| 25. | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 26. | Denver |
| 27. | Boston |
| 28. | Minnesota (from Detroit) |
| 29. | Cleveland (from San Antonio via Atlanta) |
| 30 | Dallas (from Oklahoma City via WAS and PHI |
